Negaunee to consider pot, rental ordinances

Lisa Bowers

Journal Staff Writer

lbowers@miningjournal.net

NEGAUNEE — Residents of Negaunee will have the opportunity to weigh in on the city’s proposed rental code ordinance as well as regulation that would prohibit recreational marijuana establishments during a Negaunee City Council meeting at 7 p.m. today at the Negaunee Senior Center.

A public hearing on each issue will precede council consideration and possible adoption of the two new ordinances.

The proposed rental ordinance defines rentals as “any structures or part thereof, which is let or available for occupancy by persons pursuant to an oral or written rental lease agreement,” and sets standards for such things as lighting, ventilation, fire safety and basic equipment and facilities necessary for rental units.

Under the ordinance, landlords are required to complete a registration for all rentals and each unit is subject to a city inspection every three years. Property owners will not be required to pay a registration fee to the city for rental units registered within six months of adoption of the ordinance, City Manager Nate Heffron said during the council’s February meeting.

Under the city’s proposed recreational marijuana ordinance, which was written in response to the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, establishments that sell marijuana would be “completely prohibited within the boundaries of the city of Negaunee.

“The sale or consumption of marijuana in any form and the sale or display of marijuana accessories as defined by the act,” the ordinance states, “is prohibited in any public places within the boundaries of the city.”

A person who violates any provision of the proposed ordinance would be held “responsible for a municipal civil infraction punishable by a civil fine of $500, plus court-imposed costs,” the regulation states.

The ordinance, if adopted, would be effective immediately.

The council will also consider a roughly $158,000 bid from Associated Constructors for water main replacement on Peck Street.

According to a Feb. 12 advertisement for sealed bids, the project will include the removal and replacement of about 430 feet of water main on Peck Street from Kanter Street to Pioneer Avenue, partial reconstruction, sidewalk and ramp replacement, curb replacement, subbase, gravel base, curb and gutter, and final gravel grading.

Councilors will also consider a $29,800 bid for fire hall roof repairs, as well as bids for a new dump truck box for one of the city’s existing dump trucks and bids for new plow trucks.